CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The United States has more teenage mothers than any other country in the world. Becoming a mother is a big responsibility for anyone, but being a teenage mother may be even harder.
If the teen decides to finish high school or go to college after the baby is born, she'll have to deal with the baby on top of her schoolwork. She likely won't have a lot of free time, either, since babies require your full attention. That's why about half of teenage mothers never finish high school.
That means there are about 50 percent who do, though, and one Fayette County teen is among them. In 2011, three short weeks after her baby girl was born, the teen mom proudly accepted her diploma at the age of 17.
Not all parents of teen mothers are supportive of their daughters. Others may be supportive, but they don't agree with the decision. That was the case for the Fayette County teen.
"My mom was really understanding. She was disappointed and upset, but she was my rock through my whole pregnancy," said the teen. "My family really didn't have much to say, but my boyfriend's family, on the other hand, was very mad and upset."
Even though having a baby may seem like fun, it's a big responsibility. Parents have to give up a lot of things.
"My friends were there for me for a little while, then slowly disappeared," she explained. "And now the only friends I have are ones with kids because no one wants to hang out with someone with a baby.
"The toughest parts of being a mother are lack of sleep, teething and temper tantrums," she said. "Not to mention the stress it adds on any relationship."
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The United States has more teenage mothers than any other country in the world. Becoming a mother is a big responsibility for anyone, but being a teenage mother may be even harder.
If the teen decides to finish high school or go to college after the baby is born, she'll have to deal with the baby on top of her schoolwork. She likely won't have a lot of free time, either, since babies require your full attention. That's why about half of teenage mothers never finish high school.
That means there are about 50 percent who do, though, and one Fayette County teen is among them. In 2011, three short weeks after her baby girl was born, the teen mom proudly accepted her diploma at the age of 17.
Not all parents of teen mothers are supportive of their daughters. Others may be supportive, but they don't agree with the decision. That was the case for the Fayette County teen.
"My mom was really understanding. She was disappointed and upset, but she was my rock through my whole pregnancy," said the teen. "My family really didn't have much to say, but my boyfriend's family, on the other hand, was very mad and upset."
Even though having a baby may seem like fun, it's a big responsibility. Parents have to give up a lot of things.
"My friends were there for me for a little while, then slowly disappeared," she explained. "And now the only friends I have are ones with kids because no one wants to hang out with someone with a baby.
"The toughest parts of being a mother are lack of sleep, teething and temper tantrums," she said. "Not to mention the stress it adds on any relationship."
Even through the stress, the teen and her daughter's father stayed together and have been happily married for three months. The teen mom said that her husband has always been there for their 15-month-old daughter, and she knows she can count on him.
Recently, the teen and her husband got another shock. They found out that she is pregnant again, with their second little girl due Oct. 31.
When asked if she considered adoption or abortion, she said that she is strictly against abortion and since she took the risk to get pregnant, it was her and the father's responsibility to grow up and take control of their actions.
Preventing pregnancy is possible, but if you do get pregnant, you must prepare for what lies ahead.
"The advice I would give to teens is be prepared to give up all freedom, sleep and friends," said the teen mom honestly. "It's no part-time job; it's all day every day, and it's no easy task."
Still, she doesn't regret becoming a mother. "In all honesty, I could never imagine my life without them," she said.
"I mean it would have been much easier if we waited a few more years and we could have enjoyed our teenage years, but I wouldn't go back and change anything."
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